Knitting, Family, Home and other stuff

Word of the Year

March 16, 2011

It's amazing how much difference a week can make. The temperatures have risen and the sun is shining. On Monday I was suddenly compelled to make an emergency run to the yarn shop. I was actually headed there to buy yarn for the Infinite Loop pattern, since it's lovely, and the designer has generously committed to donating 85% of her pattern sales to relief efforts in Japan. I did find some lovely laceweight (I'll show you soon), but then my eye fell on this, and I was smitten. It is Austermann Step in the romantically named 0134 colourway. It actually first caught my eye in the fall, when I was longing for a reddish scarf, but then I was caught up with Christmas knitting, and forgot about it.

I came home and instantly cast on for Multnomah, a free triangular shawl/scarf pattern with a garter stitch body and feather & fan lace edging. I can't keep my hands off of it! I'm really loving the way things are looking, and the colours are just what I need right now.

I'm also really loving this book! I picked it up thinking it was about having a frugal, handmade holiday, but it's so much more. Starting with a review of the history of Christmas, it talks about why the season has been celebrated the way it has through the past, and what implications that could have on how we enjoy the holiday today. It has put into words much of what I've been feeling about the Christmas holidays, and given me a lot to think about as we prepare for the season in 2011.

January 04, 2011

For the past few years, I've been joining Ali Edwards as she chooses One Little Word to have as a companion for the year. My word for 2010, Simplify, stayed with me right up to the end of December, and it wasn't really until recently that I felt like I was truly walking with this idea as my focus.

Life is busy, and there has been lots going on which made this year feel very different than the way I thought it would feel. When I chose the word Simplify, I envisioned a life somewhat like the ones I see in blogs out there - something like what I see over at SouleMama's, for example. What I got instead was my own reality, and although it took me a little while to see it, my own reality is a beautiful and special thing. Once I saw that, I could begin to blend the idea and attitude of simplifying into the life that I have.

As I look into the year ahead, I see space and opportunity that wouldn't have been there without my goal to simplify. I thought, as I was planning and searching for my word for 2011, that it would be Create that would accompany me into this new space. That Create would fill that space that had been made, would give it purpose. Then suddenly, the word Rest came to mind. I read an online devotional which had this Bible verse at the top:

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle [meek] and humble [lowly] in heart, and you will find rest [relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet] for your souls." Matthew 11:28-29

If you've ever had anything to do with the church you've likely heard this before, and I have heard this particular passage so many times, I had started to skip right past it, you know? When I read this, though, something about the expansion of the word "rest" (this particular version is the Amplified Bible) spoke to me in such a deep and meaningful way, I still can't put it into words. When I read that list: relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet, it brings tears to my eyes, I feel it hit me in the chest. And that, friends, is what I want for this year. What I need in this space. Rest. Just Rest.

November 12, 2010

Liam is napping, the big kids are at school, I have an English assignment due Monday and a Psychology mid-term on Wednesday. Obviously, the most important thing for me to be doing right now is thinking about Christmas!

Last year, when Stuart asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I told him that I wanted his commitment that this year, we would have a completely hand-made holiday. No plastic toys, no stuff we don't need, just special, well thought out gifts, made by our own two hands (well, as much as possible - we agreed it is acceptable to purchase some hand-made things). He said yes, and although I think it will really be too much for him, and that he will succumb to the need to shop, I'm embracing it wholeheartedly.

Here are some plans in the works:

Stuart has only been asking for a cabled sweater for the last five years or so, and I think this sweater will do the trick. I know I haven't made a huge amount of progress on it, but I'm busily avoiding schoolwork, so I'm sure it will fly along in the next few weeks.

Either an etsy bought print, or a creation of our own, of a peacock for Liam's room

A wooden display box for Brian's rock collection. I'm picturing a box with divided sections, and a clear lid, so he can label and display his precious rocks. I also purchased a copy of a Rocks & Minerals book this summer, to go along with it. (Is that cheating?)

Another sewing project for Stuart (but I can't talk about it, because he checks up on me here, and I would like him to have a surprise. The "blanket" I'm knitting is kind of awkward to hide...)

Katie, of course, is the tricky one. She has reached the ripe old age of thirteen (birthday post to follow soon...), and I am now very uncool. I would like to knit her a pair of stripey Noro knee socks, but am not sure I can have both the sweater & the socks done in time. I am thinking of a messenger bag... and perhaps a purchased from etsy graphic tee? Sigh. If you have any bright ideas, please share. (Thirteen, I am discovering already, is tough. Very tough. And as I recall, fourteen isn't any better. Now, please excuse me - I need to call my mother and apologize for being a teenager... again.)

November 04, 2010

This morning I had a great reminder of why I'm doing what I'm doing. My work life has been in a upheaval of late, and I've been questioning everything - why am I at home? What am I trying to do here? Should I just go back to work full-time? Is this all worth it? Where is the balance? How can I simplify?

I remember, though, what those crazy mornings were like - me rushing around, trying to get everything done before we had to leave the house. No time to talk, to look around, to see what's right in front of my nose.

Today, I got up a little late, but still in time to cook a pot of oatmeal so the kids can have a hot, healthy breakfast to start their day. I sat with a cup of tea and talked to Brian & Gwenyth, until Katie called me to the window to check out the sunrise. I had time to get the camera and shoot a few frames, then actually have a look at them, and talk about it with the kids. I could kiss each one goodbye as they left the house, making sure they were zipped up & wearing their hats, rather than yelling at them to get in the car while I grabbed the last few things to head out the door. I can enjoy a second cup of tea while Liam sleeps in, letting him do what his body needs, rather than what's best for my schedule. And, I can take the time to share it with you! I do love a quiet morning...

June 05, 2010

One of those quotes that so many of us love, and that I try to incorporate into our life here, is that old William Morris gem:

Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.

I've been working diligently to remove the need for plastic bags in our world, and have taken to carrying cloth bags in my purse, vehicle, etc. Most of these bags have been aquired from various stores, however, and are not lovely. These don't meet Mr. Morris' criteria, not even a bit.

This cloth bag fits the bill in my book, though. - using this tutorial from Abi, all you need is a pillowcase (vintage is lovely, but not necessary), a sewing machine and a few spare minutes to stitch yourself up a handy, sturdy and pretty bag. Mine has been used for everything from groceries to library books to work stuff, and I've been scouring the thrift stores for sweet linens to whip myself up some more! Such a gratifying project - if there's one thing I truly love, it's being able to make something for myself, all by myself (having it turn out nicely is a huge bonus!).

Note: If you're keeping track, yes, today is Liam's 2nd birthday. We're pretending it's not until tomorrow, though, since Stuart & I both work today, and we have friends coming over tomorrow to help us celebrate the presence of this fabulous little guy in our lives. Today's task - construction of a massive birthday cake, with many helpers. What is that phrase about too many cooks? This could get a little crazy...

May 22, 2010

I have been working hard to change my thought processes this year - to ask myself, when I feel a need for something, if I can make it myself, before I run out to the store (or even the thrift store) looking for it.

When Brian decided he needed a shield, then, it made me so happy to see that he wanted to make it himself. Since he's the most like me in personality of all the kids, he started by making a plan. To keep it official, it went down on paper (in List Form, naturally - there's nothing so satisfying as a good list), and then supplies were gathered. This particular project is a collaboration between Brian & his dad, and it's so fun to see them working on it together.

It's moving slowly - a little more every weekend, when the boys have time together to get it done, and I can't wait to see it finished, and out there helping Brian in all his adventures!

April 22, 2010

Sometimes, even in the most loving families, everyone gets a little stir crazy. Around here, it seems worse at this time of year, and it makes me feel a little crazy, too. Last Thursday, first thing in the morning, the kids started in on each other - again. I was doing daycare all week, so we had an extra 4 year-old around, and I just decided I was not going to do it. No more grumpies, no more bickering. I didn't want to hear it, and I didn't want them to have to live with it.

So what to do? Shake things up, of course! I packed us all up, grabbed a toy fishing rod and a ball, threw some food in a bag, and we drove to the lake. Now, up here, we do not have lake weather yet. The water was icy, and there was a definite wind, but I reasoned that it was no different than spending a few hours at the park, so off we went.

What a difference! They ran around the whole time. We threw rocks, splashed a bit in the water, cast & reeled in with that toy fishing rod, ate every scrap of food. No fancy toys required. No big plan. Just fresh air, and a change of scenery. (And what scenery it is - how could anyone be grumpy looking at that?)

I admit, being spontaneous is not really my thing. I'm a planner, and I like it that way. But every now and then, it pays to just throw the plan out the window, and go for something different. (Bonus for me: everyone napped that afternoon, and I got a whole hour and a half of peace to myself - bliss!)

Note to self: If spontaneity is the new word of the day, perhaps charging the camera batteries regularly would be a good idea. There is nothing so aggravating as getting to a beautiful lake with gorgeous, photogenic children, and having the batteries die.

February 18, 2010

I've been talking to the kids lately about the Three Rs - they know we try to live this way, but I want them to get the whys as well. To make it fun, find some more colour, and keep the big kids quiet during nap time, I turned to this tutorial.

In our great art cupboard clean-out earlier this week, I pulled all the broken bits of crayons. All I needed for this project were these, and a couple of silicone molds (I've seen people use all kinds of things for molds, though, from candy molds to paper cups). One is a mini-muffin pan, the other an Ikea ice cube tray we discovered at the thrift store just yesterday - how amazing is that? I love it when that happens.

I would suggest breaking up any bigger bits of crayons ahead of time, as the 4-year-olds found the snapping up part difficult, and decided this project was a lot of work. All the work was worth it, though - they loved watching the crayons melt through the window in the oven door.

I'm planning a "Rainbow" themed birthday party for one of the kids this year, and I'm thinking a set of crayons like this would be an awesome take-home gift for the guests - what do you think?

February 11, 2010

While I have started a vest in honour of Vestuary, in the last few days I've found myself reaching for this bit of simple knitting, instead. In the busy days that have been happening around here, switching back and forth from garter stitch to stocking stitch is just the peaceful remedy I need.

I'm making a conscious effort to rip anything that is lingering, and is really not going to get finished, so I can move on to something that doesn't feel like a burden. Knitting is supposed to be fun, right? So, this yarn (Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock - who knew that was hanging around my stash?) was reclaimed from some socks that just weren't doing it for me, and repurposed into a new scarf, to match the coat Stuart gave me for Christmas. Because half the fun of new outerwear is making accessories to go with it, right?

January 24, 2010

I have to admit - I've been feeling a bit grumpy lately. The days are short, the sky is cloudy. I'm working two (paid) jobs, added to the joys & chores of running a household of six. I've been questioning if this is really the right path - is it worth all the maneuvering and organizing and planning and doing without and and and...

Worse, I've been grumping and snapping and complaining, even with all the mess in Haiti, even though I know how much we have, even though we are so, so fortunate in so many ways.

Thursday, I had a particularly cranky day. The kids were miserable, no one was listening, I was tired. The carrot in front of me, all day long, was nap time. My daycare guy was leaving early, both Gwenyth & Liam needed a nap; I was going to have two glorious hours to hide in my studio and sew myself a new apron.

Just - and I mean just - as I was tucking Gwenyth into bed, the telephone rang. It was Katie's teacher - poor Katie was also having a miserable day, and the teacher thought it might be in her best interest to come home early, have a rest, and start fresh the next day. (Such a thoughtful person - not only did she consider Katie's best interests, but the school secretary ran Katie home, so I wouldn't have to take Liam & Gwen out of bed. Who says public schools are all impersonal, useless places?)

I quickly said goodbye to my quiet sewing afternoon, put on the kettle and whipped up a pot of "happy tea" (equal portions of lemon balm & chamomile - Gwenyth calls it "flower tea", as she says it tastes like dead flowers), and Katie walked in and burst into tears. We spent a quiet hour in the rocking chair, with my big, almost-a-teenager girl in my lap, talking and snuggling and sipping tea. While we sat together, all I could think of, over and over, is that this is why we do what we do. Being able to be home when all Katie needed was some quiet time with her mum is worth all the running-around-like-a-chicken-with-my-head-cut-off crazy days. And I was so thankful. Thankful to be there in the chair with Miss Kate, thankful to have a husband who supports me in my decision to stay home, thankful to be able to make it work when there are so many people who would love to do what I do and just can't.

I will confess that earlier today, the grumpies were sneaking in. I reminded myself again of Thursday afternoon, and returned to feeling quietly thankful.